(Press release) Bishop — Caltrans announced Tuesday that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved funding for more than 100 transportation projects funded entirely or at least partly by $690 million from SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“These projects are a just a small portion of the key improvements we need to maintain California’s critical transportation infrastructure,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. “Throughout the state, projects like these are being completed through SB 1 investments.”

The CTC also approved more than $1.3 billion in funding toward nearly 150 transportation projects for additional maintenance, improvements and construction throughout California.

Most of the projects receiving funding allocations are part of the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP), which is the state highway system’s “fix-it-first” program that funds safety improvements, emergency repairs, highway preservation and some operational highway improvements. While funding for this program is a mixture of federal and state funds, a significant portion comes from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account created by SB 1. Caltrans will focus on repairing and rehabilitating the state highway system by improving pavement, bridges, culverts and intelligent transportation systems, which are included in the performance requirements of SB 1.

Other projects include ones from the SB 1-created Solutions for Congested Corridor, Trade Corridor Enhancement and Local Partnership Programs. These vital programs tackle congestion, support valuable trade corridors and bolster local agency efforts to invest in transportation. Furthermore, the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, which funds projects to modernize transit systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve safety, was allocated more than $122 million in SB 1 dollars for 11 rail and transit projects.

Area projects receiving funding include:

Inyo 395 South Lone Pine CAPM Pavement Project: $8.9 million pavement replacement project will improve 11.5 lane miles of U.S. Highway 395 from south of State Route 136 to East Inyo Street, and State Route 136 at the U.S. Highway 395 intersection in Lone Pine. This project was allocated $8.9 million, $1 million in funding was due to SB 1.

Towne Pass Curves Project: $4.2 million project on State Route 190 in Death Valley near Panamint Springs will realign curves and widen shoulders to reduce the number and severity of collisions.

Conway Guardrail Project: $3.6 million project on US Highway 395 near Bridgeport, CA will reduce the number and severity of collisions by upgrading the guardrail to current standards.

Mojave Maintenance Station Project: $6.4 million project in Mojave, at the Mojave Maintenance Station. This project will demolish the deteriorated facilities, construct a new crew room and equipment storage building, and modify the existing wash pad.

The Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB 1), the landmark transportation infrastructure bill signed by Governor Brown in April 2017, invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety. These funds will be split equally between state and local investments.

Caltrans is committed to conducting its business in a fully transparent manner and detailing its progress to the public. For complete details on SB 1, visit http://www.rebuildingca.ca.gov .

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